Emancipating The Love (On-going)

Chapter 38

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The breeze cooly brushed against the warmth of her skin—old, calming, nostalgic. Every blow carried whispers of conversations that once occurred. It lingered too close, too intimate, it felt embracing.

The green scenery was tantalizing—too good, too dreamy—she could visualize the memories the place holds like she could see it playing right in front of her.

Everywhere her eyes turned, Lea could envision the happy family that once occupied the setting. Her ears could still hear the exchange of 'I love yous' and the echo of laughter like it was still there, frozen in place.

And somehow, despite that, it didn't hurt.

Rather, it felt...reminding.

In a way that it was comforting. Assuring.

A reminder of what they once had—real, existing—like a wound that was starting to heal. Once painful, now a memory, a lesson.

A sly smile stretched as her hand caressed her bump, one fulfillment of the dreams they might never get to completely chase. Her hand had memorized the curve that was becoming more evident, every delicate caress electrified her hand with love she never thought could be so powerful.

It has been two weeks since she filed for her leave of absence. Life has been better—nature, Elli, pregnancy.

That's where her life revolves, and for her, it was all she needed to carry on and make her little world continue to orbit despite the gravity of problems trying to weigh it down. Despite dilemmas attempting to cease the small peek of light in her, wanting to make everything succumb into darkness.

She can't allow herself to be overtaken by the pain, cannot be subservient to her heart's plea.

Lea knows the moment she follows her heart's desires is also the time she opens herself to the cruelty of reality. The reality where life is not just about love. Not just building the family they have sketched with ambition, but fighting for the peace she wants to give to her children.

The peace their love can't provide.

"Nanay, look! I picked fruits for you and my baby sibling!" Jogging with a proud grin, Elli raised the basket as she slowed down when she approached her mom who was sitting on a rocking chair, her voice in a sing-song manner.

"Oh, that's so thoughtful of you, ate. Thank you." Lea reached, smiling. It was the kind of smile that created creases by the eyes, one that was small but stretched with content.

Life has been quiet.

No gadgets, almost no connection with anyone from the bustling big city. With the short time they have stayed there, Lea had once again discovered the peace of province—cool air, chickens as alarm clock, hand-picked crops served in every meal, and slow mornings.

She didn't need to follow a schedule, no routine to perform, no legal duties to abide—just her being a mom and living every day like it's her first. No plans, just her fate unfolding.

It was simple.

And enough.

Just her, Elli, people who gives her assurance and comfort, and especially, the life growing in her—too fragile, too frail—a bloom of a flower's last seed. The hope that had dwindled into something so small yet so achingly beautiful.

Her pregnancy hasn't been the most empathetic. With each morning alarmed by the swirling of her stomach, cold-tiled floors welcoming her knees, and her last meal greeting the toilet a 'good morning.'

Each night wasn't only an adventure through the dream world, it was also a combat between her sleepiness and her stomach's eagerness to explore to food land as her tastebuds seek for the most unimaginative food-combos to ever exist.